A/HRC/34/7 trafficking in persons, as well as the decision to accept more refugees in the context of the ongoing crisis. 40. Czechia appreciated the information presented, particularly on the final stages of the process of ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. 41. Denmark welcomed the fact that Iceland expected to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture before the end of 2016. Denmark commended Iceland for its intention to establish a national human rights institution based on the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles). Denmark wished to learn how Iceland addressed the trafficking-related challenges linked to the great increase in tourism. 42. Ecuador welcomed the amendment to the Gender Equality Act and the enactment of the Act on Foreigners and the Act on Immigration Issues. Given the challenge of implementation, Ecuador hoped that initiatives such as the adoption of a human rights national action plan and the establishment of a national human rights institution would be achieved in the near future. 43. Egypt was deeply concerned by the increasing number of hate crimes, incidents of racist discourse and xenophobia and the existence of discriminatory policies in Iceland. It was concerned about the existing gender pay gap and by discrimination against persons with disabilities in numerous fields. 44. Estonia commended Iceland for taking additional steps in dealing with cases of domestic violence and paying attention to violence against persons with disabilities, especially women. Estonia welcomed the greater attention paid to human trafficking and encouraged Iceland to involve civil society further in the development, implementation and evaluation of anti-trafficking policies. Estonia appreciated the active participation of Iceland in the global Freedom Online Coalition and its excellent results in ensuring a free and open Internet. 45. Finland was pleased that civil society had been consulted and given the opportunity to give its views on the national report; that Iceland had amended the Penal Code to criminalize domestic violence in compliance with the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention); and that a legislative proposal on establishing a national human rights institution was under public consultation. Finland encouraged Iceland to continue its important work in improving Barnahus services for children with disabilities and in promoting the Barnahus model regionally. 46. France welcomed measures to promote gender equality and the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 47. Georgia highlighted the progress made by Iceland since its first review, particularly the adoption of the Act on Foreigners and the Act on Immigration Issues, and the initiatives implemented to combat gender inequality, including the equal pay standard. Georgia welcomed the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 48. Germany commended Iceland for its commitment to upholding and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms but noted that Iceland had not yet ratified the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, as indicated during the first review. 49. Ghana commended Iceland on the high percentage of women in Parliament and welcomed the action plan aimed at enhancing the representation and professional development of women within the police. 7